This case study places the Dell Young Leaders programme in context, maps the programme model, describes the programme impact and challenges, and outlines opportunities for key stakeholders to leverage learning from the programme to help spur needed systemic changes. The country faces urgent social and economic imperatives to ensure that a university degree and a trajectory of professional employment are not reserved for the privileged few. In reality, no bursary programme will ever be able to serve all the qualified students in need. This underscores the need for invested parties to consider taking steps to help first-generation, economically disadvantaged students succeed at university – and beyond. These steps involve minimising financial, situational, and psychosocial stressors that can contribute to a student's failure to graduate.